Thirty-three seasons and 662 episodes of the One Chicago shows — Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med — have aired since Chicago Fire premiered in 2012, and through it all, we have had to reluctantly say goodbye to many beloved characters. None of the three series’ casts look the same as they did in their respective first seasons, which is a sad but understandable truth. Most actors only stick with a show for so long before wanting to explore other opportunities. Consequently, some characters have died, while others have simply moved out of Chicago to excuse actors’ absences in the One Chicago universe.
Some of the One Chicago characters have been harder to say goodbye to than others. It’s much easier to let go of those who only stuck around for a season than characters who have been around since a TV show’s beginning, especially if the writers kill them off in the fictional universe. However, when a TV franchise like One Chicago lasts a long time, actor exits are to be expected. Nevertheless, I’m still holding onto hope that some departed (and alive) characters from Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med can return to their respective series one day.
Matt Casey
Chicago Fire
Jesse Spencer’s Matt Casey was arguably the face of Chicago Fire, which is why his exit in season 10 was so shocking and upsetting. Spencer was one of the original main cast members of the NBC procedural drama, and his character’s role at Firehouse 51 made him all the more important. Casey was the lieutenant in charge of Truck 81. His leadership skills defined much of the work ethic among the firefighters, but Casey’s time on the show would quickly end during Chicago Fire season 10, when he moved to Portland, Oregon, to take care of Andrew Darden’s sons.
Sylvie Brett
Chicago Fire
Speaking of Brett, Kara Killmer left Chicago Fire after Casey and Brett’s wedding in season 12, episode 6. It was a bittersweet goodbye as Casey and Brett finally got their happy ending, but that also meant that viewers had to bid farewell to both characters for the foreseeable future. Even though Killmer wasn’t a part of the original cast of Chicago Fire like Jesse Spencer, she was one of the veteran players on the NBC TV series. Brett was introduced as Leslie Shay’s replacement in Ambulance 61 in season 3, and she stuck around Firehouse 51 for almost ten seasons.
Gabby Dawson
Chicago Fire
Perhaps this is a controversial opinion, but I would love to see Monica Raymund reprise her role as Gabby Dawson in Chicago Fire (especially with Casey and Brett gone). Raymund was among the original Chicago Fire cast members, and her character was one of the best during the early seasons. Of course, everyone knows that Gabby started to go downhill in the episodes leading up to Raymund’s exit from the NBC procedural drama. However, a little redemption never killed nobody.
Erin Lindsay
Chicago PD
Moving on to Chicago PD, the first Chicago Fire spinoff has also lost many actors since its premiere in January 2014. Perhaps Chicago PD’s most devastating loss was Sophia Bush as Erin Lindsay. The actress was among the original cast of the NBC police procedural series, and her character was quite significant because she had ties to several characters. Hank Voight was practically Lindsay’s surrogate father, she briefly dated Kelly Severide from Chicago Fire, and Lindsay and Halstead were one of Chicago PD’s most interesting couples to root for. Unfortunately, Bush’s time on the show had an expiration date.
Antonio Dawson
Chicago PD
Jon Seda’s Antonio Dawson was among the detectives and officers in the original Intelligence Unit crew in the cast of Chicago PD season 1, and he stuck around for six seasons before leaving. It’s been a long time since we saw Antonio’s face in the NBC procedural series, and his return would be exciting. Antonio served as a worthy adversary to Voight regarding their morals, making their dynamic quite entertaining. Unfortunately, it’s been difficult to replace Antonio’s role regarding his relationship with others in Chicago PD.
Jay Halstead
Chicago PD
Jay Halstead’s exit from Chicago PD is probably among the saddest exits in the One Chicago franchise. Like Sophia Bush and Jon Seda, Jesse Lee Soffer was in Chicago PD’s original cast and a fan-favorite character from the very beginning. However, Halstead’s send-off in season 10 was quite controversial and many believe it was a disservice to his character. As a result, it would be ideal if Soffer could reprise his role as Halstead in a future episode (or episodes) to give his character the closure he deserves.
Will Halstead
Chicago Med
Jay Halstead’s brother, Will Halstead, is another One Chicago character who is dearly missed in the franchise. Nick Gehlfuss left Chicago Med only one season ago, but his character’s presence is always welcome in the medical drama. Will was an integral member of Chicago Med who had been working at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center since the beginning. Of course, he could be frustrating at times (just like most of the other Chicago Med characters), but it’s difficult to accept a reality where Will isn’t in the TV series.
April Sexton
Chicago Med
April Sexton is arguably one of the most underrated characters in Chicago Med, which might be a controversial opinion. However, she deserved a lot better during her time on the NBC medical drama. So, it was probably for the best that April left Chicago Med in season 6, but selfishly, I want to see her return to the show. It feels like April’s story isn’t done, and that’s probably because it was never given the proper attention it deserved.
Ethan Choi
Chicago Med
If April returns to Chicago Med, Ethan Choi would have to, as well, and I would welcome the two original series regulars back with open arms. April and Ethan’s romance was one of the best in the NBC medical drama, and the TV show is in desperate need of a good romance as Chicago Med heads into its tenth season. Plus, as mentioned above, witnessing April and Ethan’s dynamic as a married couple would be very intriguing.
Connor Rhodes
Chicago Med
It has been a long time since we have seen Colin Donnell’s Connor Rhodes in Chicago Med, which is quite a shame given how beloved he was in the show. Rhodes left Gaffney Chicago Medical Center at the beginning of season 5 because he wanted a fresh start after Ava Bekker’s death, and Donnell hasn’t reprised his role in a Chicago Med episode ever since. Maybe Rhodes found what he needed during the five-plus years he has been away from the hospital, and he’s ready to return in a future episode (or two or more).
